Lita Ward

Lita Darlene Burke Ward, 87, of Ward Lane, Rabun Gap, GA died Thursday morning, March 7, 2019 at her home. She was the widow of Paul Henry Ward.

Born in Van Buren, Michigan, November 1, 1931, she was the daughter of the late Lloyd E. Burke and Nora McNeal Burke. She had lived the greater part of her life in the Orlando, Florida area. She lived in Rabun County approximately 37 years. She was a registered nurse in Orlando until she retired. Darlene loves her family and her friends and she loved the mountains and Rabun County, Georgia.

Darlene was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Ward and her parents Lloyd and Nora Burke, a sister Velma Jean Bloodworth, two brothers, Kenneth Ober Burke and John Taylor Burke. She is survived by a daughter, Betty Bliss of Rabun Gap, Georgia, who is also an RN and the caregiver for “Miss” Darlene for six years, one step daughter, Judy Sipowicz of Summerville, Tennessee, one son Michael Palmer of Clayton, Georgia, one step son, Paul Ward, Jr. of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania and one sister, Beverly Huff (Roy) of Michigan. Seventeen grandchildren and nineteen great grandchildren also survive.

Her body has been cremated and no service is planned at this time. The family is at their respective residences.